Military Protest: Presidency of the Republic launch 'witch hunt'

The Ministry of Defence has set up a commission of inquiry to identify the ringleaders who masterminded the strike by soldiers of the Minusca contingent who took to the street to protest the non-payment of the salaries.

An investigation report, which is expected within a month, will be forwarded to the Presidency of the Republic.

Nearly four months after the protest match that had rocked the capital, the Presidency has decided to launch a witch-hunt.

On Friday, December 4, Joseph Beti Assomo, Minister of Defence, asked members of the commission of inquiry to shed light on the events of September 9, where hundreds soldiers of the defense forces, began marching through the streets of Yaounde at midday.

In what was totally unprecedented, the population had feared the worst, and the panicking executive responded immediately to the demands of the military.

The inquiry team, which the Department of Defense has not revealed the number nor the names of the members, are expected to “identify the protesters, find out the reasons behind the strike, and accomplices of the match among others.”

Installing the team, the Defense Minister called on members of the commission to be “thorough, objective, and transparent” in their investigations.

The commission has one month to “conduct investigations and make its copy”. Once completed, the report will be submitted as a priority to President of the Republic, army chief, Paul Biya.